Christmas Cinnamon Salt Dough Ginger Ornament Tutorial

Christmas Cinnamon Salt Dough Ginger Ornaments Tutorial

contributed by Colleen @ And Baby Makes Five

Though the holiday season is still months away, it's never too early to start planning and crafting.  These sweet little bowl fillers are simple to make and easy to decorate ... with little or no painting required.  If you love gingers, I hope you'll give them a try.

You will need:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup cinnamon
1 1/2-2 cups water


large mixing bowl
wooden spoon
rolling pin
extra cinnamon for dusting


gingerbread cookie cutter
circle cookie cutter
peppercorns 


baking pans
aluminum foil
cooling racks

craft paints/paint pens
stencil brush/small paint brushes 

poly spray/wax for sealing

Step 1:  Assemble ingredients and mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup cinnamon, and 1 1/2-2 cups water in large bowl.  Stir to combine.

Step 2:  Use your hands to knead dough a few times until it's pliable but not too sticky.

Step 3:  Dust work surface with cinnamon and roll out a small portion of dough.  You may roll out your dough as thick or as thin as you want.  I prefer mine to be slightly on the thicker side, but don't be afraid to experiment.

Step 4:  Use your cookie cutters to form your gingers.  Circle cutters may be used to make ginger faces if you like.

NOTE: If you prefer a simpler or more primitive ginger, you may want to use some peppercorns for eyes and buttons.  Peppercorns have the look of traditional cloves, but are so much cheaper.  I often find mine at Dollar Tree or The Christmas Tree Shop.

Step 5:  Gently press peppercorns into your ginger cutouts and decorate to your liking. 

NOTE:  If you would like to make these into hanging ornaments, make your holes now with a toothpick or straw before baking.

Step 6:  Place gingers on foil lined baking sheets and bake at 300º for 60-75 minutes.  The cutouts can be placed fairly close together as they do not spread like edible cookies do.

Step 7:  Remove gingers from oven and place on cooling racks.  Allow to cool completely before decorating further.  I often leave mine out overnight.  Do not be alarmed if cooled ornaments have a grayish or uneven hue to them.  They will be uniform in color and slightly darker once they are sealed.

Step 8:  If you're planning to paint your gingers for a more whimsical look, use a white paint pen or thin brush to make the icing zigzags. A black paint pen or thin brush works well for the eyes.  Pink cheeks may be added with a bit of paint on a stencil brush or paper towel. Highlights can also be added with the tip of a thin paint brush or paint pen.

   
NOTE:  To ensure that your gingers last, you may seal them with a couple of coats of spray poly or you may dip them in melted wax as explained in this earlier tutorial.

Enjoy your ginger creations!